I just purchased the BACHMANN EZ/E-Z DIGITAL COMMAND CONTROLLER SYSTEM. It includes (1) e-z command control center and ,(1) power supply. Is this all i need to run my locos that are dcc ready?. or do I need other components. Thanks for the help.
You also need to purchase decoders for your DCC ready locomotives.
David B
That’s one of the pet peeves of the hobby, or it has been until very recently. The characterization of “DCC ready” means almost nothing between the manufacturers. It is confusing, as you are a prime example of those who misunderstand the term. It suggests that all you need to do is to add a decoder, but you seem to have taken it to mean that it is good to go as soon as you buy the DCC system. Not so. DCC ready means everything from having to take the body off to cut a bunch of leads to the motor, isolate the motor from the frame, wire in a decoder, change the lights (or they’ll blow), all the way to simply remove a dummy plug and plug in the best match for a decoder. How ready is ready?
Gus,
I have agree with David and Crandell. “DCC-ready” is a very nebulous term and can mean a number of things, depending on the manufacturer.
With the E-Z Command, you have all that you need to run and operate a “DCC-equipped” locomotive. Now all you need is a decoder.
Tom
I will attempt to keep this on a positive note. When you decide on the DCC ready locos you want to install decoders in, check the forums first. Some locos have the NMRA eight pin connector. Some have the nine pin JST connector. Some have no connector. You have to hard wire the decoder. From what I know so far, the basic difference in DCC Ready and non DCC locos is and isolated motor.
One fellow in another group sent a DCC Ready loco back to Bachmann three times because it would not work on DCC. He said he did what Bachmann could not do, he installed a decoder so it would run. Believe it or not, he thought “DCC Ready” means the loco can be programmed and will run with a DCC control system. He was thinking DCC Equipped which it was not.
Another forum someone thought the frame of a DCC Ready loco should be isolated from the frame of the loco. Only the two motor leads have to be isolated if you check with a ohm meter.
Many times you can search the 'Net with Google. Search for DCC Ready, DCC Equipped, DCC on board and you will see what I mean.
Good luck.
Rich
Here are some terms to watch for:
DCC capable = can be made to run on DCC but requires some work on your part to make the loco capable of running on DCC. Athearn Blue Box locos are DCC capable.
DCC Ready = This term has different meanings depending on which manufacturer made the loco. Many time all you need to do is plug a decoder into the loco and you’re off and running. Other times it may only indicate that the motor is isolated from the frame.
DCC Equipped = The loco has a decoder already installed and it’s ready to run and is preset to address #03.
DCC Onboard = This is a term used by Bachmann and means the same thing as DCC Equipped.